Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-05-06
A BUSY LIFE ENDED,
Alexander Mitchell, the Milwaukee
Millionaire, Expires in a New
York Hotel.
Bronchial Troubles and Heart Disease
Cause His Death, Which Is
Rather Sudden.
New York special.I


Alexander Mitchell, President of the
CT icago, Milwaukee a. St. Paul Railroad.
died ut his rooms in the Hoffman House.
in this city, on Tuesday afternoon. He
had been been gradually losing strength
for " months, but the illness which re-
suited in his death began only o week ago.
Mr. Mitchell some months age deter
mined to withdraw from active business
pursuits, and Dec. 1 last, accompanied by
Rev. DR.. Kean, his old pastor, he started
from Milwaukee in his private car for
q trip to his winter home, in Florida.
whittier Mrs. Mitchell had gone some time
before. At his magnificent place, sVilla
Alexandria" just at the head of the st.
Johns River, he devoted himself to the
pleasures OF q winter resort, spending
more exercise than he had ever had before.
Yet, although, he seemed TO be in the best
Of spirits, he steadily lost flesh. He had
always been n of the most methodical of
men, and the change told on him.
Three weeks ago Mr.. Mitchell and DIR.
Kean left Florida, reaching this city April
2, and going Immediately to the Hoffman
House. Two days later Mr.. Mitchell COM
planned of feeling unwell and developed
feverish symptoms, but he soon recovered
and was able to go down town, although
the feverish condition returned ct intervals.
His son, Jonn L.. Mitchell, had joined him
In the meantime, and with his son ana q
q party of friends Mr.. Mitchell
politan Opera House last Wednes-
day night. Sitting in the front of the box
he was probably exposed to q draft, for be-
fore the last act he complained of illness
and left the opera house. So weak was he
when his carriage reached the hotel that he
had to be assisted to his room. After that
he never left his bed. DR.. Edward Brad
ley, his physician, found that he was suffer-
ing from q malarial trouble and bronchial
pneumonia, from which he failed to rally.
He sunk into q state Of coma Monday
evening and never recovered conscious
ness. Death resulted from asphyxia, caused
by bronchial pneumonia.
Alexander Mitchell was born Oct. 10, 1877. in
the parish of Elton, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
His father was u farmer, and the early DAYS Of
tne future hnancier were passed in the same
execution. For two years he studied law at
Aberdeen. and then went into q bank at Peter
mead and remained there until he came to
Milwaukee in May, 1889, when. in company
with George Smith, of Chicago, he organized the
Wisconsin Marine and Fire Insurance Com
pany, an institution that was in reality a bank,
although not called one on account of the law
then in force. Th bills of this company were
~ OAAy AoAIdOlc pdpOE currency the IofTlEOrV
hao Tor many years, 'yet despite the times
every dollar was redeemed when PRESENTED.
1t is as u manager and promoter of RAILROADS
that the deceased was best known to the world,
he having been for years at the head of the Chi.
cago, Milwaukee and st. Paul Company, a cor
poration that controls more miles OF road than
any other in the world.
Politically Mr.. Mitchell was originally a Wing,
then he Joined the Republicans in electine
Lincoln and prosecuting the war, afterward
dent Johnson. Since then his party sent him
to Congress in 1870 and 1872, and would have
continued him there had he not declined furthor
mated Mr.. Tilden, and was one Of his most ar.
dent supporters. In 1879 the Democrats want
ed him to be a candidate for Governor, but he
declined.
Mr. Mitchell. is survived by q wife, o son,
John L.. an adopted daughter, Mrs. Dr.. Mackie
OF this city, and a sister ana brother living in
Aberdeanshire, Scotland. Mr.. Nitchell's es-
tate is variously estimated ut from SIS, COZ, 0OO
to $25, 900, OOO.